Bentley Clinches Playoff Berth with 2-0 Win at Franklin Pierce
Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bentley (9-4-2, 7-3-2 NE-10) | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
Franklin Pierce (9-4-2, 7-3-2 NE-10) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Franklin Pierce
Game Statistics | Bentley | Franklin Pierce |
---|---|---|
Shots (on goal) | 8 (4) | 20 (5) |
Saves | 5 | 2 |
Fouls | 9 | 13 |
Corner Kicks | 3 | 4 |
Offsides | 0 | 0 |
RINDGE, N.H. – Bentley University booked its fifth straight trip to the Northeast-10 playoffs Tuesday night with a 2-0 win on the road over Franklin Pierce in men's soccer. Senior Brennan DaCosta (San Diego, Calif./Westview) and junior Justin Cirasola (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside) had the goals for the Falcons.
Coming off a tough loss Saturday to Merrimack, the Falcons responded with a big win that not only put them back in the postseason, but also moved them into a tie for fourth place with Franklin Pierce. Both teams have 23 points with one match left. The top-four teams at the end of the regular season host a quarterfinal playoff match Oct. 30.
After a scoreless first half, Bentley did its scoring in final 45 minutes. DaCosta converted a penalty kick in the 60th minute for his team-leading seventh goal of the season to give Bentley a 1-0 advantage. Cirasola then doubled the lead in the 74th minute with his second goal of the year.
Senior goalkeeper Alex Pilitsis (Brunswick, Maine/North Yarmouth Academy) came up with a big performance making five saves, four in the second half. Bentley's backline, led by the likes of Weston Zeiner (North Granby, Conn./Granby Memorial) and Jordan Bridge (Tolland, Conn./Tolland) helped preserve the clean sheet.
Franklin Pierce (9-4-2, 7-3-2 NE-10) closes out its season Saturday at home against Le Moyne. Bentley (9-4-2, 7-3-2 NE-10) finishes up Friday night at Southern Connecticut.